Sydney Airport faces safety scrutiny after third ground near-miss in three weeks

Australia’s aviation authorities are investigating a third serious ground safety incident at Sydney Airport in less than three weeks, after a Virgin Australia Boeing 737 rejected its take-off when the crew saw a Qantas Boeing 737 crossing the runway ahead.

The latest incident occurred shortly after 10:00 on 9 August, when Virgin Australia flight VA555 to Perth (Boeing 737-800 reg. VH-IJQ) was cleared by air traffic control for a full-length departure from runway 34L. As the pilots applied take-off thrust, they observed a Qantas Boeing 737-800 (reg. VH-XZH) operating QF728 to Uluru crossing the runway from taxiway Lima.

The Qantas crew reported that they had also received clearance from air traffic control to cross the runway. The Virgin pilots immediately reduced thrust and stopped the aircraft, while ATC cancelled its take-off clearance. Reports indicate that the Virgin aircraft came to a halt around one kilometre before the runway intersection.

Once the Qantas aircraft had cleared, the Virgin 737 was subsequently cleared for departure. There were no injuries or aircraft damage.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has classified the event as a runway incursion and rejected take-off and launched an investigation involving interviews, recorded data and other evidence.

The incident occurred only hours after another close call at Sydney Airport that morning. A Jetstar Airbus A320 reportedly braked sharply to avoid a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 being towed across the apron, causing a cabin crew member to suffer a minor wrist injury. Two Airservices Australia employees were subsequently stood down in connection with that incident.

On 27 July, another event involved two Qantas Group aircraft when a Boeing 737 arriving from Queenstown was cleared to cross a runway while a QantasLink aircraft from Canberra was landing.

The three incidents in quick succession have intensified scrutiny of ground operations and air traffic control at Australia’s busiest airport. Airservices Australia said it is cooperating with the ATSB and other stakeholders, while staffing levels and controller shift coverage at Sydney are also under examination.

Airservices Australia chief executive Rob Sharp has been called upon by the federal transport minister to provide assurances about the reliability and safety of operations at Sydney Airport.

The ATSB said it would immediately alert relevant organisations if its investigation identifies any critical safety issue before publication of its final report.